Slow but sure… (W’s 97, Heat 80)

I spent the first 21 minutes of last night’s game in open, honest, impersonal inquiry. It wasn’t that the stakes of the question were high. It was that the problem is interesting—and Miami was presenting it in a compelling way.

By what most skillful means could the W’s press tempo against an opponent that was so successfully jamming up flow and space?

I had the sense that on this particular night the W’s weren’t going to be able to dictate tempo in one headlong rush—or in a sudden barrage of made 3’s.

No, last night it looked like it was going to require something steadier—and more patient. I was looking for defensive discipline—and, on the other end, for a sure but insistent percussive pace to team passing that I think we’ve only seen in brief flurries this season.

Then with 3 minutes left in the first half the change in tempo happened.

In a game that slogged inelegantly, the last three minutes of the first half were notable nonetheless (and would’ve been notable in any circumstance) by virtue of the W’s precision—and specifically for the unhurried focus with which they used the solidity of their defense to create offensive flow and space again.

Somehow in the midst of a mire of a game, the W’s had converted the end of the first half into a 50-37 lead.

“Defense…defense. If we get stops, we can get out in transition and push.”

Notice he said “push”—not get out and run pell-mell. In a game like last night’s—against a team jamming the works as methodically as Miami was—it’s unrealistic (and likely imprudent) to think you can just flip a switch and turn a slog into a track meet.

Even so, the W’s defense still manufactured 26 fastbreak points—the team’s season average.

“Control the possession game.”

Steph made clear post-game that trying to win the possession game has been a specific team focus lately. It’s when the W’s (too badly) lose the possession game that they can stumble.

But the converse is also true.

Even when they’re stumbling (shooting-wise), if they “control the possession game,” they can look invulnerable.

Last night, when shooting 36.8% from the floor, they were +6 on the offensive glass and +6 in turnover differential—and won by 17.

“Rhythm 3’s.”

Another anomaly in last night’s game was the fact that Draymond was the W’s most reliable and decisive 3-pt shooter. But that wasn’t an accident either.

Often Draymond’s either/or. On one hand, he might burp up an unneeded premature 3—or else, equally, he might pass up an open 3 you think he should take.

The key seems to be—more for him, obviously, than for Steph, Klay, or Durant—to let the ball come back to him. And then out of that percussive team passing I (we?) keep yearning for, for him to accept the open 3’s that the opponent’s defense is forced to grant by overplaying Steph, Klay, and Durant elsewhere.

Like Steph said perceptively last night…

“When Draymond’s shooting a rhythm 3, it usually means we’ve had a solid possession.”

McCaw, Casspi, Bell, Looney

Likely the most intriguing subtext of last night’s game—the consistently steady and reliable performances that the above four guys have been giving recently. Four glue guys. Four guys who know who they are—and in the case of McCaw, Bell, and Looney are still studiously growing into who they might become.

In veteran Casspi’s case, it seems like he arrived in the W’s system when Iguodala and Livingston did.

The one slight weakness formerly in the W’s roster was some backup for Draymond if he was hurt or in foul trouble (or otherwise indisposed).

And I don’t mean backup in terms of “backup power forward” per se. I mean backup jack-of-all-trades runner and frontcourt defender who can bang with bigs and also alertly switch onto smalls when necessary in a possession. And someone savvy enough offensively to screen and move the ball in rhythm with the W’s overall offense and to dive to the rim with authority.

It’s hard to chart W’s “center” minutes—and exactly because damn Draymond makes it so hard to chart his “position” in particular.

But I’m going to keep looking at it this way…

Last night Kerr played 14 minutes of “traditional” center. (Zaza 11 and JaVale 3). And the W’s literally took Hassan Whiteside out of the game. Yes, West was out. And, yes, we don’t expect Kerr to regularly play his “traditional” centers these few minutes.

Still, it’s a # to watch.

There’s only been a few scattered minutes this year where there’s been some kind of lineup like Durant and Iguodala up front. In the past, absent a “traditional” center (like Bogut or Festus), that meant only Draymond playing “smallball” center.

But now the W’s also have backup options in that role. (And new backup options to play alongside Draymond, too.)

Chris L

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Oh, I realize that. But some players try to make their teams better regardless of the situation… and some players just go with the flow and are only out for themselves. Young has historically been the latter.

So maybe he will change his M.O. with the Warriors…. like McGee did. Although McGee has always been a team guy despite his occasional bloopers and his so called reputation was more propagandish than reality.

So again, we’ll see. One good game vs. a young, rebuilding team early in the season isn’t enough. Time will tell.

Phan Boi

I’ll stand by my answer, Steph, honestly, and I like Omri just fine.

Phan Boi

Thanks yep, he was dancing, but Butler was a mess.

rainyday

The only reason JB & Fitz could come up with is that Tibs was sending his starters some kind of message, but they didn’t know what it was. They were puzzled the starters were out there so long at the end.

Your comments helps me form the thought that I think it’s good for the Warriors to be forced into bringing a team effort to winning a game. No knock on KD, but it’s just too easy when the team is floundering to employ the KD-will-bail-us-out strategy. Too easy because it works. But the team and reserve efforts now will pay dividends later. Just like last season when KD went out. If KD didn’t get injured it would almost behoove Kerr and the staff to invent an injury for him.

And yes as rainyday said, Fitz and JB mentioned the Minny starters still being in against the 2nd string.

SurfCity

I remember when Kerr was first hired and he made a special point of traveling to far-flung locations (it was summer) to meet with individual players.

It’s the little things that count.

SurfCity

Yes, I saw the grin on Mauer’s face.

SurfCity

Look again. Brown flashed a huge smile and actually seemed to chuckle a bit. Draymond on the other hand was just stoically waiting to get the ball from the ref, to inbound.

SurfCity

Jarrett Jack had a modicum of success as Warrior 2nd point guard including playing point when Steph could play off-ball. To what extent — if any — do you think Quinn should emulate any of that?

Joe Nava

Yeah. Hard to understand how refs can miss that. I know no one is perfect, but…

Good to know Rainy, I hope to watch the DVR later tonight. It seemed insane to me and my friend.

At the game and trying to keep the Roar in Oracle, I shouted out “Play ’em till they drop Thibs” amongst many other things.

Thurston Hunger

Exactly, KD’s FT’s were a big part of the Miami victory but doing it with strength in numbers and not knowing where the death blow will come from is a part of Kerr’s personal and coaching ethos.

To KD’s credit, he gets the importance of getting everyone involved, he helped Ian a lot early last season, and I look forward to Kerr moving KD to the squad that starts the 2nd quarter for that very reason. Klay is not (yet) the guy to get others going like Kevin.

Thurston Hunger

In the Denver game I think, there was a lot more drive and kick out action which I think gets the W’s sharpshooters (not just Steph, who might be on the bench) much better looks.

Last night it was interesting that as soon as Steph went out, the T’Wolves upped the ball pressure. Even including a mild full court press.